Food shelves across Minnesota continue to adapt to record demand, and there are no signs of that demand slowing down anytime soon.
This month, Hunger Solutions released official data showing that food self visits will exceed 7.5 million people in 2023. That’s 1.8 million more visitors than recorded in 2022, which was also a record year.
Prolonged inflationary pressures and the end of pandemic support programs have been cited as contributing factors.
Jill Westfall, the organization’s program director, said much of the traffic growth is occurring in locations that are increasing their reach to customers.
“The traditional old-fashioned pantry model was one visit every 30 days,” Westfall says. “And food shelves are becoming increasingly open to better reflect how people actually eat and shop for groceries.”
These operations have expanded customer hours and increased the number of visits each month, she said.
Westfall said that although inflation has slowed, the 2008 recession showed that households will take time to recover and no longer need additional support.
Westfall said it’s also notable that many people across Minnesota feel the need.
“We’re seeing a significant increase in the number of adults accessing our food shelves, the number of children visiting our stores, and the number of seniors visiting our stores,” Westfall said.
For households that have never visited a food shelf before and are now considering it, Hunger Solutions has an interactive map on its website to help you find locations that serve your community.
There’s also a Minnesota Food Helpline at 888-711-1151.
